Foreigners coming to Moldova to work or start independent business must obtain a work permit, which is issued by the National Labour Force Agency for a maximum period of one year. Moldova remains one of the poorest nations in Europe and suffers from a high unemployment rate (almost a quarter of the labour force has been forced to seek work abroad). Although the communist government maintains a pro-Western stance, it has had trouble pursuing structural reforms and has made little progress on the International Monetary Fund's program to attract external financial resources. It is, therefore, difficult to find job as a foreigner, although some English teaching jobs are usually available. However, Moldova has a growing oil and gas industry.